Category: Identifying and Countering Deception

Israel’s Ongoing Rebellion against the Lordship of Christ

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Israel’s ongoing rebellion against the lordship of Christ means that God’s judgment still rests upon it. 

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36 (NKJV)

In fact, modern Judaism, which is largely based on the Talmud, does not resemble the practice and faith of the people of God in the Bible. The following video will most likely shock anyone who is only familiar with a sugar-coated version of modern Judaism.

The Old Testament scriptures pointed toward the coming Messiah, Jesus the Lord, starting with God’s promise in the Garden that one of Eve’s descendants would crush the head of the serpent. (Genesis 3:15) The next great promise was made to Abraham that one of his descendants would be a blessing to the entire earth, not just a relatively small group of people who later became known as Israel. (Genesis 12:3) God’s plan was always to bless the entire earth. (I have written a series about this entitled The Cosmic War.) The next highly significant messianic prophecy came to Moses, who prophesied that God would one day raise up a prophet like him who must be heeded or the consequences would be fatal. (Deuteronomy 18:18-19) The last significant promise that I will mention is the one God made to King David, which guaranteed that one of his descendants would rule on God’s throne forever. (2 Samuel 7:12-13) Jesus’ miraculous birth, prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 7:14), ended the waiting. His advent fulfilled the longing of many generations who lived in the expectation that God would keep the promises he made regarding the coming Messiah King (Isaiah 9:2).

Satan violently opposed our Lord’s coming because he understood it was the beginning of his complete defeat. He inspired King Herod to attempt to murder the baby boy. God foresaw this and ordered Joseph, his father by adoption, to take his family to Egypt for safety. After Herod died, an angel instructed Joseph to return to Israel, fulfilling an ancient prophecy and identifying Jesus as God’s true Israel.

When Israel was a youth I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son. Hosea 11:1 (NASB95)

He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON.” Matthew 2:15 (NASB95)

The Holy Spirit inspired Matthew to connect Hosea’s prophecy to Jesus.

This identification of Jesus as Israel is hugely important in deciding if the modern day Jewish nation is the true Israel. 

The first time God called anyone Israel was when he renamed Jacob following his overnight struggle with God’s angel prior to meeting his brother Esau after many years of separation. 

So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.” Genesis 32:27–28 (NASB95)

Jacob’s struggle with God, which ended in his being defeated by the angel and surrendering to God, resulted in his receiving God’s blessing. Such surrender, however, has not typified the relationship the nation of Israel has had with God. In fact, it has been just the opposite, as Stephen, the first Christian martyr, stated so powerfully just before being stoned to death.

“You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. 52 “Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; 53 you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.” Acts 7:51–53 (NASB95)

This event ended the seven-year period prophesied by Daniel the prophet, about which I have written in my article, “The Prophetic Significance of the Stoning of Stephen.” From this point forward, the gospel went primarily to the Gentiles.

Dispensational theology is a serious error because it undermines essential New Covenant truth.

The New Covenant has nothing to do with nationality or genetics. It is based solely on the new birth, making participation in God’s kingdom available to people from every nation and ethic background. (Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11)

The rejection of the Lord Jesus by the Jewish nation, as exemplified by most of its leaders over the years, began in earnest during Jesus’ public ministry, climaxed at the crucifixion, and continued unabated after his resurrection up until the present day. Since the Lord Jesus could no longer be harmed, their hostility against the lordship of the risen Christ was taken out on his followers who were violently persecuted. This attitude continues, as shone in the video above.

Significantly, Saul of Tarsus, a prominent Pharisee who adamantly opposed the gospel and persecuted followers of Christ, was present at Stephen’s death and heard that man ask his Lord to forgive his murderers. (Acts 7:60) A short time afterward, Saul was intercepted by our Lord himself as he traveled on horseback to Damascus to punish disciples of our Lord in that city. Saul understood immediately that the one who appeared to him was and is the Lord, even before he knew his name. Saul, who became Paul the apostle, later recounted what happened to King Agrippa.

“And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 ‘But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:15–18 (NASB95)

When Paul understood it was the risen Jesus who spoke to him, without hesitation he surrendered his entire being to the Lord and became a fearless trumpeter of the gospel message.

Such a turnaround should be present in every person to whom God reveals that Christ is Lord. Those who reject this revelation of the lordship of Christ sentence themselves to eternal damnation.

Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you [the Jews] first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 “For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES, THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’ ” 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. Acts 13:46–48 (NASB95)

The majority of Jews rejected Jesus claims to be the Messiah and Lord. Nothing has changed. That ethnic group of people largely are still hostile to the gospel, as are many others. The reason I point this out is because Dispensationalism causes many people to view Jewish people through rose colored glasses.

God the Father punished the nation of Israel in 70 AD for murdering his Son, just as Jesus said he would.

“But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ 39 “They took him, and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 “Therefore when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-growers?” 41 They said to Him, “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end, and will rent out the vineyard to other vine-growers who will pay him the proceeds at the proper seasons.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone; THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES’? 43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it. 44 “And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them. Matthew 21:38–45 (NASB95)

God indeed brought that nation to a wretched end at the hands of the same Roman army that they used to kill their Lord. In addition, he removed the kingdom of God from having anything to do with national Israel. It has been given to another nation, those who are born again, the church of our Lord.

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. 1 Peter 2:9–10 (NASB95)

The city of Jerusalem and the temple were both destroyed, thus signifying the official end of God purposes with Israel.  

The sacrificial system ended because Christ’s perfect sacrifice as the Lamb of God eliminated the need for any future animal sacrifices. In fact, to re-institute that system would be an abomination. Jesus fulfilled the purpose of the Law, ending its significance as a means to gain or maintain a right standing with God.

The New Covenant officially abrogated the Old (Hebrews 8:13). Going forward, the New Covenant is God’s only means of reconciling humanity to himself.

There is no other name under heaven beside Jesus whereby anyone can be saved. I have written more in detail about these things in my article, “Are the Jews God’s Chosen People?”

Under the New Covenant, the kingdom of God is made up of those who acknowledge Jesus’ lordship. The only admission into that kingdom is through the new birth. T

Many believe that God’s end time plan is to restore the nation of Israel to worldwide prominence and rule the earth through a redeemed Jewish kingdom. This is a result of believing the teaching of dispensationalism introduced by the proven scoundrel, Cyrus Scofield. 

I have written a series of articles relating to this deception, the first of which may be accessed by clicking here. This doctrine contradicts the New Covenant and syncretistically blends Old with New, something that cannot be done without sacrificing the truth of the gospel.

Jesus’ purpose was to redeem those God chose before the foundation of the world and to reestablish God’s rule upon the earth.

God’s kingdom advances as people acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Everyone who confesses Jesus is Lord becomes a “living stone” in the New Covenant temple which God is constructing out of human beings who provide a habitation for the Holy Spirit.

“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23–24 (NASB95)

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19–22 (NASB95) 

The key confession of all who receive forgiveness, justification, reconciliation, sonship, and become part of God’s kingdom is that Jesus is Lord. (Romans 10:9-10) All those who refuse to acknowledge his lordship are excluded. Those who fight against those who make this confession are antichrist.

It is a sadly peculiar observation that those who are most used or elevated by God often succumb to pride. Satan, who was an anointed cherub and close to God, fell into such arrogance and pride that he was no longer content with his assigned role and tried to usurp God’s throne. (Isaiah 14:12-14) In similar fashion, the nation of Israel, whom God elevated to the glorious privilege of stewarding the inspired words of God and providing the human pedigree for the coming messiah, fell into pride. When the actual Messiah arrived, it could not tolerate another having the preeminence. Out of jealousy and a determination to have the kingdom for itself, it’s leaders, supported by the people, put the Lord of life to death.

In a parable, Jesus summed up Israel’s attitude toward him.

But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ Luke 19:14 (NASB95)

Later in the same parable, Jesus laid out what God’s response would be.

“But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.” Luke 19:27 (NASB95)

Today the Jewish nation of Israel continues its rebellion against Christ’s lordship and  is attempting presumptuously to fulfill its ambition to rule Palestine and the world without  submitting to Jesus the Lord.

They still await a messiah who they believe will assist them to accomplish their ambitions. Whoever this messiah may turn out to be, it will not be our Lord.

The only hope for any Jewish person is to recognize that the true messiah has already come and to proclaim him as Lord.

Therefore, it is wrong for Christians to blindly support the nation of Israel’s misguided efforts whose ultimate purpose is to defeat the West and Christianity. (See the first two videos above.)

We have been duped into believing that support for antichrist Israel, which hates Jesus the Lord, is required by the Bible. This is one of the great deceptions of our time. 

The true Israel of God is the Lord Jesus, and because we are in him through faith, we who believe, have become the Israel of God. Everyone outside of Christ, has no part whatsoever.

Just as John the Baptist willing receded from the picture after he introduced Jesus to a waiting world, the Jewish people, having accomplished the purposes of God, should have acknowledged the Lord’s rule, stepped aside, and welcomed the nations into God’s kingdom. Instead, they continue to try to jealously cling to what no longer belongs to them.

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 (NASB95)

Nothing made the Jews in Jesus’ day more angry than to be told that God’s kingdom now includes Gentiles. They are like the elder brother in the parable of the prodigal son who resented the Father’s generous mercy toward the profligate brother. Until we understand that God always planned to reach the entire world, we will not understand Israel’s place in the scheme of things.

He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6 (NASB95)

Not only does God’s kingdom include people from every ethnicity, the land promised under the new covenant is the entire earth, not just Palestine. The New Covenant is superior to the Old in every respect. To continue to believe that God is still working to fulfill land promises to Israel misses the fact that those promises were already fulfilled in David’s and Solomon’s time. 

I do not embrace or encourage any form of antisemitism, but I do not endorse blind support either. 

We will continue to love and pray for the Jewish people and share the gospel with them, just as we would for any people group. However, I believe it is a mistake to label them “God’s chosen people.” Nothing could be further from the truth, except for the remnant who become part of the elect through faith in Christ.

Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED; 28 FOR THE LORD WILL EXECUTE HIS WORD ON THE EARTH, THOROUGHLY AND QUICKLY.” 29 And just as Isaiah foretold, “UNLESS THE LORD OF SABAOTH HAD LEFT TO US A POSTERITY, WE WOULD HAVE BECOME LIKE SODOM, AND WOULD HAVE RESEMBLED GOMORRAH.” Romans 9:27–29 (NASB95)

The only way for Jews or anyone else to be saved is by confessing that Jesus is Lord.

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Are the Jews God’s Chosen People?

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torahToday many in the body of Christ believe that ethnic Jews are God’s “chosen people.” They also may believe that the promises made to Abraham and Israel in the Old Testament still await fulfillment in present day national Israel. Do the Jewish people who are biologically descended from Abraham have special status with God? Does the Bible say that the nation of Israel will be of primary importance in Christ’s governmental rule over the earth? These questions are quite important. The only way we can rightly answer them is if we properly understand the New Covenant. Confusion comes when we view things through the lens of the Old Testament or try to blend the Old Covenant with the New, which is called syncretism. Unless we understand that everything in the Old Covenant pointed to Christ, we will fail to grasp that he is the fulfillment of all of its promises and symbols.

The New Covenant leaves no doubt as to who are God’s chosen people.

God never chose people due to genealogy. From the beginning the Lord made it clear that he chooses some but rejects others purely on the basis of his sovereign will. We can see this truth illustrated in his choice of Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau. This is called the doctrine of election.

Paul summarized this important truth in his letter to the church in Rome.

That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. 9 For this is the word of promise: “AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON.” 10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.” 13 Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.” 14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! 15 For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” 16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. Romans 9:8–16 (NASB95)

For some reason, many of us detest and refuse to believe in God’s sovereignty because we think that it violates our free will. It is interesting to me that when we are faced with choosing between God’s sovereignty and our free will, many of us insist that the freedom to assert our will requires us to reject God’s sovereignty. We often redefine sovereignty as mere foreknowledge, believing that God’s sovereignty is limited to his knowing ahead of time what our choices will be. That is not sovereignty. That is having good intel. Sovereignty is different from foreknowledge, which is proved by both words being in the same sentence.

...this Man [Jesus], delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. Acts 2:23 (NASB95)

Choosing to assert our freedom over believing God’s Word about sovereignty is a repeat of Adam’s sin.

God’s sovereignty is not limited by our choices. If that were the case, we would be sovereign, not God. But the Bible makes it clear that God is indeed sovereign and we are responsible to him for our choices. If we cannot accept this biblical truth, we will not be able to move forward.

God chooses those who will belong to him, and it is never merely a matter of genetic inheritance.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12–13 (NASB95)

The new birth takes place because God wills it, but we have a responsibility to participate by receiving Christ as the Lord. God’s sovereignty does not cancel human cooperation and responsibility, and our responsibility does not rule out divine sovereignty.

Jesus said:

...“For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” John 6:65 (NASB95)

This simple truth will likely offend us if we insist that we are the deciding factor when it comes to our own salvation. If we require our will is the deciding factor, it means that Christ actually saved no one, but only made salvation possible. It means that God put in every single person an inherent ability to choose to believe the gospel or not, thus making us responsible to save ourselves, in a sense. This is Armenian theology that does not agree with the Bible. The only thing that comes naturally to unredeemed people is to sin. Faith originates in God.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:8–10 (NASB95)

To deny God’s sovereignty in salvation means that the only difference between me and an unsaved person rests in me, not God.

In other words, we have cause to boast because we were smart or wise enough to choose life, but others were not. But that contradicts the Bible, which says we have no room to boast, since faith is a gift, not an inherent ability.

Jesus taught that we do not make the choice for him. He initiates. We respond by grace alone.

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:44 (NASB95)

The Bible teaches us that all people before responding to the gospel are dead in sin. Dead people are not able to respond to anything; therefore, for any person to respond to the gospel in a positive way requires the Holy Spirit to first enliven us. If Christ’s words are true, and they are, the Holy Spirit does an internal work in each person who is drawn to Christ. Otherwise, we never would be able to respond in faith, since spiritually dead people are not able to do so. 

Therefore, God’s chosen people are those whom God sovereignly elects and draws to Christ and who demonstrate their election by believing the gospel and proclaiming that Jesus is Lord. Anyone who believes the gospel participates in the same faith in God and his promises as did Abraham. 

It was never sufficient simply to be a physical descendant of Abraham. Those who are part of God’s elect, whether Jew or Gentile, also must walk in the same faith as did Abraham.

For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; 15 for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation. 16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 (as it is written, “A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. 18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.” Romans 4:13–18 (NASB95)

Paul described the elect quite clearly in Ephesians.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:3–6 (NASB95)

Nothing could be clearer than this. God chose us before he created the world. Therefore, election, just as Paul wrote in Romans 9:16, is solely dependent on God’s choice which was made before we breathed our first breath or made any choices whatsoever.

We either believe this or we do not. If we do not, we are guilty of elevating our own understanding above God’s Word, which is always destructive and deceptive. If we do believe it, it makes it plain that biological descendants of Abraham are not God’s chosen people – unless they are part of God’s election who demonstrate their calling by putting their faith in Christ. 

The second great truth contained in the passage from Ephesians is that all blessings are found in Christ.

Unless we are in Christ, we are estranged from God’s blessings because that is the only place they exist. Being a genetic Israelite has no blessing attached to it, since every blessing is in Christ.

If we are in Christ, it shows that we are God’s chosen people. Outside of Christ, there is no salvation at all and no blessing.

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (NASB95)

If we think of the kingdom of God as being a tree or vine (the vine and branches analogy), the only way to become part of the tree or vine is for us to be “grafted” in.

We become part of the kingdom of God when the Holy Spirit makes us one with Christ at the new birth.

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 (NASB95)

All who have believe the gospel and acknowledge Christ’s lordship, whether we are Jew of Gentile, are grafted into the “vine” or “olive tree,” which symbolize Christ. Paul describes this in Romans 11:16-24.

Before being grafted in, Gentiles likely did not even know there is a tree. We were outside of God’s covenantal promises and probably were totally ignorant of them. Biological Jews who are not grafted in through faith in Christ are said to be “cut off through unbelief.” In other words, Jews had the advantage of knowing the Old Covenant promises, which all pointed to Christ, but still did not believe, which will bring upon them an even stricter judgment.

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. Romans 2:28–29 (NASB95)

It really makes no difference whether we are biologically descended from Abraham or not, unless we are born again we are not part of Christ (the vine or olive tree). In the New Covenant, genetic inheritance does not matter one bit. The only thing that counts is the new birth.

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. Galatians 6:14–15 (NLT)

Once we are grafted in through the new birth, however, Jews and Gentiles have equal status because we are one in Christ. Nothing else matters at all.

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:26–29 (NASB95)

This is similar to Jesus’ words to Peter: “Upon this rock I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:18) The rock is our faith confession of Jesus’ lordship. There is no other way into the body of Christ other than through faith in Christ and confession of his lordship. (Romans 10:9-10)

Abraham believed God, which was the proof that he was and is part of the elect. God’s chosen ones always will exhibit faith. Those who believe God are called children of promise, which shows they have been grafted into Christ through believing God’s promises, the gospel being chief.

Biological descendants are not automatically included and never have been, only those who believe. 

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:6 (NASB95)

All those biological children of Abraham over the centuries who had no faith in God and his promises were never part of the chosen people. Genetic inheritance has nothing to do with it, only faith. 

Therefore, when people say that biological Jews are God’s chosen people, whether they believe in Christ or not, it reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of the new covenant and is a false statement.

Abraham’s physical descendants had a special calling and responsibility to preserve God’s Word and keep the bloodline pure. The Messiah eventually would be born miraculously, just like every new birth in Christ, from this pedigree. Jesus is “the seed” that God promised would be a blessing to the entire earth (Genesis 12:3). Jesus was also descended from King David in the line of Abraham, of whom it was promised that he would rule on David’s throne forever (2 Samuel 7:12-13).

If we must talk about any chosen person, it is Christ. All the rest of God’s elect are so    because we are included in him.

Everything in the Old Testament points to Christ. All the types, symbols, and shadows found in the Old Covenant were fulfilled in Christ and then faded into insignificance, since they are no longer needed. (Hebrews 8:13)

Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? 9 If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! 10 In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. 11 So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever! 2 Corinthians 3:8–11 (NLT)

This includes the nation of Israel’s role as a chosen nation. Since the resurrection of our Lord, God is raising up a new nation, those who are born again.

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. 1 Peter 2:9–10 (NASB95)

God has established a new temple, one built out of people, the church or body of Christ, which the Bible calls “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5). There is no longer any need for a nation of Israel made up of biological descendants of Abraham because God has established his new Israel of God composed of all who believe.

For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. Galatians 6:15–16 (NASB95)

Let us not make the serious mistake of trying to hold on to what God has set aside, lest we be guilty of idolatry.

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When Faith Dies

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The saddest thing that can happen to us is if our faith dies because we feel betrayed in some way by God, by life, or by someone we trusted. Our ability to trust is like a beautiful flower that can be rather easily crushed at times. Often little children illustrate its fragrant bloom. Unhappily, faith or trust can be very difficult to restore, if it is destroyed.

Although faith can be rather fragile, the kind of faith that is anchored in God is as tough as iron.

Real faith, the faith that comes from God, is a gift from the Lord.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8–9 (NKJV)

It does not originate in us; although, we participate in using and growing it. This God-faith does not depend on our strength and grows stronger when tested in the fires of life.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2–4 (NASB95)

Faith in people, institutions, fairness, and equity may die a slow and painful death or be snipped off in an instant.

But the faith in God that comes from God can weather any storm or adversity.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)

We never know for sure what kind of faith we have until it is tested.

If we go through a great difficulty that challenges us to our core and our faith dies as a result, perhaps we did not have the kind that comes from God. Perhaps it was merely our best attempt at trusting God and was not up to the task. Maybe God wants us to turn to him in desperation, asking him to impart his kind of faith to us.

We were created by God to believe in him and his promises. Until we find our rest in doing that, we will never be satisfied.

Everyone of us who comes into this world and participates in the mystery of life must believe in someone and something. If betrayal or disillusionment strip away our faith in God, we will lose our anchor and purpose.

If we are not anchored in God, the storms of life will shipwreck us. (1 Timothy 1:18-19)

The Bible defines faith in a mysterious way. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews wrote:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)

The English word “substance” is the rendering of the Greek word hupostasis, which means substance, steadiness, or assurance. Other translations use the English words “reality” or “assurance.” The general idea is that our faith proves or points to an assured hidden reality that cannot yet be seen. The faith-filled (faithful) person reasons that if God makes a promise or statement, it must be true. We are not waiting to find out if it is true. We know it immediately…by faith.

Faith knows God’s promise is true right now, even though we might have to wait for it to “come true,” perhaps for a long time.

The Greek word for hope is elpis, which means a confident expectation that something will come to pass, no matter how long I must wait. It is very similar to faith. Some call it stretched out faith. Faith know it has the promise the moment it receives the promise.

Hope keeps that faith alive until the promise becomes our experienced reality.

The English word “evidence” is derived from the Greek word elegchos, which means a proof or test. Our faith “tests” or “proves” what is in our hearts. Do we believe God or not? Some say that it also proves the reality of the thing for which we hope, but do not yet see. My own experience with faith is that its presence in our hearts causes us to “know” that what we believe for will indeed come to pass. It is a supernatural thing. It can be faked in front of other people, but inside we know if we have it or not.

We put faith in all sorts of things, starting with our parents. Children trust their parents’ word, unless and until that trust is betrayed. My wife and agreed that to lie to our young children would be a serious thing, even if it were about such seemingly benign things as Santa Claus and the Easter bunny. I believe that, if we lie to our kids about Santa, it may lead them to later question if Jesus is just another version of Santa? If the Easter bunny is not real, was Jesus’ resurrection? I am convinced that we should be very careful not to take advantage of the faith of little children.

As we mature, our experience with disappointment and disillusionment grows. Many adults become quite cynical (or “hard-hearted” to use the biblical term). This cynicism can invade all our thinking, even toward God and the Bible. This is an evidence of a dead or dying faith. A hardened heart is the most dangerous condition a person can have.

For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 “HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART, SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED AND I HEAL THEM.” John 12:39–40 (NASB95)

Our hearts can become so hardened that we object to the mere possibility that the Bible is true. The world thinks that the more educated we become, the more reason we have to reject God and the Bible. This may be an outright atheism or merely a rejection of those parts of the Bible we find objectionable for moral or intellectual reasons. The latter is perhaps more insidious  because it is not generally recognized as hardness of heart.

Plenty of people reject parts of God’s Word without denying their faith in Christ.

God gave us a deeply seated need to believe. If our hearts are not hard, it is easy for us to believe him and his words. Adam and Eve were duped by a master deceiver into doubting God and believing a lie. Ever since then, people often find it easier to believe a lie than the truth. Knowing this, politicians routinely sling “mud” at their opponents. They understand many will believe their lies.

Children who are blessed with godly parents, who take their responsibility to disciple their children seriously, have a distinct advantage in life. Such parents teach their children to trust in God and his Word. Most children will follow in their parents’ footsteps of faith. Eventually they will face their own decision points in life and must decide if they will continue on that path of faith as adults. We have God’s promise that they will.

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Proverbs 22:6 (NLT)

Children who do not have such a godly heritage will have to be intercepted by God somewhere along the path of life if they are ever to know what it means to trust God. Thankfully, that is exactly what the Holy Spirit does as the administrator of the New Covenant. He secretly works to bring to faith those chosen by God from before the creation of the world.

But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 (NKJV)

It is my firm conviction that once we put our faith in our Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit works inside us to cause us to continue in that faith and loyalty to Christ. Some call this the perseverance of the saints. By his grace we will persevere in faith to the end. 

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NASB95)

If, however, our faith in God dies, for whatever reason, we will most likely put our faith in something or someone else. We cannot help believing, even if ironically our faith is that there is nothing worth believing. Such an unprovable position acts as justification for a whole group of people to condemn themselves to a joyless life and a hopeless eternity.

The devil also works hard to hobble the faith of God’s children.

The same liar who deceived Adam and Eve is busy trying to sully our simple faith in God.

But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NLT)

The apostle John told his readers to stay away from idols. An idol is anything that detracts from God’s glory, hinders our faith, and works to deceive us. 

Anything we believe that fights against simple faith in God and his Word is from the devil.

My question for you, the reader, is this. Has your childlike faith in God’s Word died? Do you think you have become too mature in your understanding to believe as a young child? Have you allowed the devil to convince you that it is okay to use a more “nuanced” interpretation of the Bible that permits you to reject a simple straightforward understanding? If so, I encourage you to ask the Lord to restore your childlike faith. 

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Is It Reasonable to Believe as a Child?

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The longer I live, the more convinced I am that God wants us to receive the words of the Bible with the faith of a child. In fact, it is becoming increasingly necessary for us to do so because deception is so rampant.

Jesus said that childlike faith is the only way to know God.

At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. Matthew 11:25–26 (NKJV)

Wisdom and prudence are godly characteristics. Why would God hide truth from the wise and prudent, and why would Jesus give thanks for his doing so? This may seem rather confusing unless we realize he spoke of those who are wise in their own eyes but lack the humility of a child. 

Children simply believe what we tell them, unless we have lied to them in the past.

But God never lies; so, there is no reason for us not to believe his words.

“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Numbers 23:19 (NASB95)

Why is it then that we sometimes assume that God does not mean what he said? Do we really think he sometimes says something that he does not expect wise and intelligent people to believe? Apparently we often do. Is this wisdom on our part or unbelief?

As adults, we hate when someone deceives us, especially when money is involved. We never want to be anybody’s fool. Since we live in a world full of deception, we learn to sift through information 

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coming our way to try to separate what is true from what is not. We do our best to protect ourselves from human trickery, which is good and necessary, but the unfortunate fallout is that we may learn to approach the Scriptures that way, too, oddly thinking that God may be trying to fool us, too. 

One of the things that God highly values is when we simply believe what he says and act upon it. In other words, we trust that he is not trying to deceive us.

And it is impossible to please God without faith... Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)

Such simple faith was something Abraham possessed. Paul wrote about him.

In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.” 19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. 22 Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Romans 4:18–22 (NASB95)

God asked this man to simply believe that he would give him a son, in spite of the fact that he and Sarah were past the age to have children. It was scientifically impossible for Sarah to conceive at her age. For a long time Abraham clung to God’s promise, waiting patiently for it to come to pass, but eventually he grew weary and reasoned that God expect him to do something to make this promise happen. Resorting to human reason produced an Ishmael. Simple faith received an Isaac, the child of promise.

During the long years of waiting, Abraham’s faith had nothing to lean upon except God’s promise and character. That should be enough for us, too.

God named him “father of a multitude” when he was childless. People must have thought he was an utter fool until Isaac was born. 

God does not mind placing his people in the position of being thought foolish or being misunderstood as a test of our loyalty to him.

Being willing to embrace the scorn and contradiction of unbelievers is part of the cost of having childlike faith. It is a price we are expected to pay as Christ’s disciples. I wonder if we have ever considered the pain God may feel when we scorn placing our trust in him?

Historians say the Age of Reason extended from the late 17th century through the 18th. This period profoundly influenced the world and continues to do so. The main characteristics of this era are summarized below.

  1. Primacy of reason and empiricism — Knowledge derived from observation, experimentation, and rational analysis, rather than faith or authority.
  2. Skepticism toward tradition — Questioning religious dogma, superstition, absolute monarchy, and inherited privileges.
  3. Ideals of liberty, equality, and progress — Advocacy for individual rights, tolerance, fraternity, constitutional government, and separation of church and state.
  4. Optimism about human potential — Belief in education, science, and reform to create a better society.
  5. Secularism and deism — Many favored a non-interventionist God or natural religion over organized doctrine.

During this age, trust in human reason skyrocketed, often at the expense of faith in God and the Bible. Although, elevating reason in this way seemed like something new, the truth is that it was as old as Eden. The serpent convinced Eve that his words were more reasonable than God’s. The Lord gave us the ability to reason, but it is only beneficial when it is submitted to God and his Word.

God has ordained that certain important matters elude our power of reason and must be apprehended spiritually with the faith of a child.

Paul wrote about this.

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)

We adults have been taught from childhood to lean upon our wits. As a consequence, many of us also learned how to avoid obeying God’s Word when it seems unreasonable to us, just as Eve did. We think it is okay to manipulate the words of the Bible to suit us. 

The Pharisees knew the Bible better than anyone. As part of their education, they memorized the first five books of the Old Testament. Not surprisingly, they often looked down on others who had less knowledge. Tragically, however, their great knowledge did not translate into great faith. They failed to recognize their Messiah when he stood in front of them! 

If our study and knowledge of the Bible does not produce childlike faith, we have wasted our time and sentenced ourselves to a greater judgment (James 3:1). The more we know, the greater our responsibility.

Jesus condemned the Pharisees for manipulating God’s Word to make it say something different from what God intended.

And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. 7 ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’ 8 “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” Mark 7:6–8 (NASB95)

I believe we can define ungodly traditions of men as any interpretation of the Bible that nullifies or twists its intended meaning.

Before we come down too hard on the Pharisees, we need to understand that this is a very human tendency going back to the garden. We probably all do it to some degree or another. It is humbling for us to realize this. May we all have the faith of a child and simply believe what God has said. In a world full of deception, this is our firm anchor.

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 (NASB95

 

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The Counter Rebellion

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The introduction of heliocentric cosmology was a blasphemous rebellion against God’s and the Bible’s authority. This may shock you because we have been taught from childhood that the earth is a spinning globe hurtling through space at about a million miles per hour locked into an impossible elliptical orbit around the sun. Under this system, Helios or Sol, which are alternate names for the sun, is the center of what is called our “solar system,” holding the earth in its power and giving life to all things.

This way of describing the heavens and earth is an outright contradiction of what the Bible teaches in Genesis Chapter One and throughout the rest of its pages.

Satan, according to the Bible, led a revolt in heaven against God’s authority and apparently convinced one-third of the angels to follow him to perdition. (Revelation 12:3-4, 9) How he convinced them to throw away what they had in heaven is beyond me, but he must have been quite convincing.

The devil always uses deception to pull people (and angels) away from God and truth, and history shows that he is very good at it.

Paul called him the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) because he rules over the hearts of the unredeemed using authority usurped from Adam. The first man’s decision to believe the serpent instead of God brought humanity and all creation into degradation and perversion. I wrote a series to explain this and how God will completely restore all things, which is entitled, The Cosmic War. I encourage you to read it. 

Our Lord Jesus stripped all authority from Satan by dying on the cross and afterward rising from the dead. (Colossians 2:15 and Matthew 28:18) Nevertheless, that deceiver wants everyone to think that he still rules. He wanted to receive glory as God, but was defeated (Isaiah 14:12-16). He is still working to obtain man’s worship through the heliocentric “soul-lure” system. By convincing people that the earth is controlled by the sun, along with other “planets” named after false gods, he uses a blasphemous “object lesson” through which virtually every child in school is taught that he still controls the earth. You see: Helios and Sol are alternate names for Satan, too.

To accept the heliocentric lie requires us to believe that the Bible is an outdated document, written by primitive pre-scientific people, that is hopelessly out of sync with  reality.

When we believe this lie, we align ourselves with the Great Deceiver, the “father of lies,” as Jesus called him, who deceives the whole world. (John 8:44, Revelation 12:9)

Through creation rights, however, the earth has always been the Lord’s. (Psalm 24:1, 89:11) He founded it upon the waters never to be moved, no matter how many lies the devil tells us.

The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters. Psalm 24:1–2 (NKJV)
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John Calvin – Reformer

Even though Satan usurped Adam’s authority, he never officially owned the earth, and it is not, nor ever has been, fully under his power. The sun is not the center of anything. The Scripture tells us it is smaller than the earth and runs a prescribed circuit in the heavens. (Psalm 19:6, Joshua 10:12-13) Nevertheless, if Satan can convince people that the heliocentric lie is true, it accomplishes several things for him.

  1. It convinces people not to trust the Bible fully, thus undermining its authority.
  2. It opposes the reality and near proximity of heaven and brings God’s very existence into question. If he is not enthroned atop the firmament, as the Bible teaches, he must be “somewhere out there,” if he exists at all. That this theory has this effect is illustrated by the great number of astrophysicists who are declared atheists and despise God.
  3. It provides the basis for corollary lies, such as evolution, the Big Bang, aliens, and destruction by comets, asteroids, etc..
  4. It encourages us to be afraid and feel lost and hopeless. It tells us that we are insignificant specks in a incomprehensibly vast and dangerous universe, heading toward who knows what. (This is called the Copernican Principle.)

The false religion of heliocentrism was resisted initially by Reformation leaders, such as Luther and Calvin, but eventually it gained traction and now holds a favored status in the world and, ironically, in the church.

The church fell so hard for Satan’s heliocentric deception that some Christians, who claim to believe the Bible, will fight against anyone who  calls for the restoration of a proper reverence for God’s truth in the matter of cosmology.

Our willingness to abandon God’s Word in this matter derives from placing too high a regard for what is called “science.” We have been brainwashed to “Trust the Science,” the mantra used to push us into allowing the government to inject an unproven mRNA concoction into our bodies. True science is proven by experimentation. Astrophysics, by definition, is theoretical. Anything pertaining to origins is evolution fact scaled e1747836154552pure speculation, yet the world believes the declarations of the priests of science are real science, and so does much of the church. 

The false god of science has been so enthroned in the hearts of many Christians that we have embraced the lie that the Bible cannot possibly mean what it clearly says regarding the creation and nature of the heavens and earth.

We have assumed that we have the right, no, the duty, to reinterpret God’s holy Word and twist it to agree with the words of men.rebellionThis is nothing less than a worship of human reason.

A vast number of people believe that if something does not seem reasonable to us, it is okay to reject it as being false, even if God said it. Thus we reject God’s sovereignty over all things pertaining to truth, in effect calling him a liar. In matters of cosmology, most of the church presently stands opposed to God’s Word. This should make us tremble before a holy God.

For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word. Isaiah 66:2 (NASB95)

A proper reverence of God will lead us to humbly admit that we do not know very much at all and must rely on God’s written Word and the Holy Spirit to apprehend truth and identify deception.

Some ask why is this issue important? Does it really make any practical difference? I must confess that such a question astounds me. I have concluded that there are only a few reasons why anyone would ask it.

  1. We believe biblical cosmology is false and to identify ourselves with it is a personal embarrassment and it is also defamatory to the church.
  2. We believe it is not relevant to life and is a distraction from the gospel message.
  3. We believe the truth is unknowable; so, any debate will be fruitless.

Regarding the first point, if biblical cosmology is not true, it undermines the entire Bible, not just Genesis Chapter One, and thereby undermines the credibility of the gospel message

hebrew cosmos

The Bible teaches that God created the heavens and earth together in a hierarchical or layered structure with heaven above and the earth beneath, separated by a solid firmament. The twelve-part series below should convince you. Bryan Ezzo shows how the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation consistently confirms the same version of the heavens and earth presented in Genesis.

We believe God told Adam how he made heaven and earth, which he passed on to his progeny. This probably accounts for an almost universal belief in this framework historically, before the pagan Greeks introduced the concept of a spherical earth. This heaven-earth structure is assumed and repeated all through the Bible. For example, here is a reference to the tiered structure of creation that Paul gave us.

Therefore it says, “WHEN HE [Christ] ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.” 9 (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) Ephesians 4:8–10 (NASB95)

Moses, who wrote Genesis, believed it. King David believed it. Ezekiel believed it. Jesus believed it, and so did Paul. Therefore, if we reject biblical cosmology, we must also reject the rest of the Bible.

Surely calling the church to repent for believing a lie that so contradicts the Bible is important!

And are we saying that the only truth that matters is gospel truth? Are we saying that God does not care if we are deceived in other areas? Surely not! Another name for Jesus is The Truth. All truth matters. Deception is always evil. It is vitally important for us to know and believe the truth about everything, especially something so fundamental as the world in which we live.

Concerning point number two, I have been questioned whether believing in biblical cosmology is essential to salvation. The answer obviously is negative because one can get into heaven having all sorts of misguided ideas. However, what we believe about cosmology is not inconsequential to the gospel. To be saved, it is essential to believe that Christ rose from the dead and to confess that he is the Lord. (Romans 10:9-10) The gospel reestablishes Christ’s lordship one person at a time.

Recognizing Christ’s lordship is the essence of what it means to become a Christian. Surrendering to his Lordship in every area of life is the essence of discipleship.

He is not only the Lamb of God who takes away our sins; he is also the Lord of Lords.

Jesus never made it easy for prospective disciples. He made it clear that following him would cost us everything, even our lives. Why then do we try to make it easy for people to come to Christ by avoiding something a little controversial that is clearly taught in Scripture? Are we afraid our listeners will reject Christ because of a refusal to believe what the Bible says? Perhaps this is just the sort of test we need to see if we are serious about following Christ. Or maybe we simply are embarrassed to admit publicly that we believe the Bible in this area? Just a thought. Are we not committing the same error as “seeker sensitive” churches that refuse to address controversial topics, such as abortion? Will not this “consumerist” approach to the gospel likely fill our churches with people who have never been challenged to surrender everything to Christ the Lord? Are we making disciples or converts? Perhaps our reluctance to challenge others is because we have refused to submit that area to the Lord. Therefore, I believe that we need not “protect” people from the challenge of bringing our cosmology under Christ’s and the Word’s authority. 

Regarding the new birth, God takes us as we are, but works to transform us into Christ’s image by changing how we think.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NASB95)

The literal meaning of the Greek word metanoeo, which is translated “to repent” in English, is “to change the mind.” As we grow in our knowledge of God’s Word, he expects us to alter how we think about all sorts of things to bring our ideas into alignment with God’s truth.

If we are to proceed as a disciple or “learner,” we will be asked to surrender every thought or idea to God’s truth in the Bible.

God’s Word is the ultimate arbiter of what is true and false. Anything that contradicts what the Bible says is by definition a lie. Any refusal to surrender to the authority of God’s Word is an act of defiance similar to Eve’s transgression.

Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark. Isaiah 8:20 (NLT)

Discipleship requires us to surrender all things to the Lord Jesus and acknowledge his authority and rule over everything in life, including our ideas about the cosmos.

When we contradict the Bible’s teaching on the cosmos, insisting that the Bible cannot be true in light of what “science” tells us, we take an unfortunate detour off the discipleship path. We cease to “continue” in Christ’s teachings, which is one essential mark of a real disciple.

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31–32 (NLT)

Therefore, I conclude that while embracing a biblical cosmology is not essential to initial salvation, it may become essential on our discipleship journey. 

God makes allowances for our ignorance and overlooks much when we are deceived, but, once we know the truth, we must make a decision. Will we let go of a rebellious God-defaming lie or stubbornly cling to it? Will we prefer what is called “science” over God’s Word?

Regarding whether biblical cosmology is relevant to everyday life, it is said by some that whether we believe it or not, we still have to get up and go to work each day. I think that anyone who makes such a statement has to believe the Bible’s cosmology is not true. Otherwise, how could we not realize that uncovering one of the greatest lies ever told is not highly important and changes how we look at the world. planck quote

Spiritually speaking, ever since coming to the realization that the firmament is real and God’s throne is right above us, it changes how I look at the world in which we live. We cannot but be awed by a Creator who benevolently observes his creation from on high. Here is a link to some personal testimonies of people who have come to faith after accepting the truth of biblical cosmology.

Regarding the third point, whether the design of the heavens and earth is truly knowable, this is where faith comes to the forefront. I have been told that my belief in the true shape of the earth is a religious belief, rather than a rational one. I do not think the person who said that realized the irony of his words. All of life is somewhat mysterious and requires us to approach it by faith. That is why God said that without faith it is impossible to please him. (Hebrews 11:6) Even atheistic astrophysicists acknowledge that what is called “science” requires that we employ faith. The big question is faith in what or whom?

A vast number of people today, it seems, have more faith in “science” and in their own opinions than in God’s Word. 

So, yes, my conviction that biblical cosmology is true is a matter of faith, but it also agrees with observation and common sense; whereas, many of the claims of “science” in relationship to heliocentrism require us to abandon common sense and accept the words of so-called experts.

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(Please note that our tech companies warn us not to question heliocentric orthodoxy. If it is indeed "scientifically proven," why do the ranks of those who disbelieve it continue to grow?)

Whether you agree with me or any other person about biblical cosmology is not really important, but whether we agree with God is.

Ultimately, this is an issue that requires each of us to stand individually before God and answer a huge question. Do I believe what the Bible teaches about cosmology or not? I think that God is calling us, the church, to repent for participating in the satanic heliocentric rebellion. Even though most of us got caught up in it unwittingly, once we see the truth, we have a responsibility to be active in the counter-revolution. 

If this article has sparked your interest, I hope you will read more of my articles and investigate these matters for yourself. 

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2026: Will the Church Finally Ditch Her Pagan Boyfriend?

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Pete 20262024 was a year of surprise for me. Imagine having your entire frame of reference for understanding the world in which we live turned upside down! Quite unexpectedly that happened to me and many others. As a result, I asked the Lord Jesus to forgive me for believing a major satanic lie for 72 years. This was necessary because believing that lie came at the expense of my disbelieving parts of the Bible. For someone supposedly committed to teaching God’s Word, this was a serious transgression. As a result, I have a new and growing love for the Bible and an even greater appreciation for its truth. I take every word quite seriously now and refuse to “shrug away” difficult verses and passages.

God wants us to believe what he says even if the world thinks his Word is quite unbelievable.

The Greek word for repentance is metanoeo and essentially means to change how we think.  I had been thinking incorrectly about the world in which we live for almost my whole life. This was not really my fault because, from a child, I had been trained by our education system, the media, and adults who were likewise deluded to think within a false paradigm. Master manipulators, like magicians, understand how to direct our minds to think in a certain way. (An excellent documentary on how this was done can be accessed by clicking here.)

The brainwashing to which I had been subjected worked so well that I had no idea that my way of seeing reality directly contradicted what the Bible says.

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I was so convinced that the framework for understanding the universe that had been pounded into my brain was true that I refused to consider that it could be incorrect. Contradictory information was conveniently filed as “too hard for me to figure out,” “leave that to the experts,” or “save for later.” As a result, I more or less glossed over certain Bible passages, such as Genesis Chapter One, Joshua 10, Psalm 19, and many, many others, because they seemed to contradict my ingrained version of reality. I reasoned that “God can do anything” and some things are just too mysterious for me to understand and went merrily on my way, not realizing that I was missing the obvious. 

Nevertheless, like many others who are victims of this high level of brainwashing, I still said that I believed that the Bible is 100% true. Trying to juggle this apparent contradiction in my mind required that I either interpret some scriptures as mere poetry or metaphor or simply put them on “the back burner,” accepting that for the time being I simply did not understand how to think about them.

Like countless others, I thought I believed the entire Bible while at the same time holding a belief that flatly contradicted Scripture at a most fundamental level.

But God…! But God saw fit to remedy this awkward situation and deliver me from this great deception. When the Lord finally opened my spiritual eyes, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I clearly saw that for over seventy years I had not truly believed what the Bible says about cosmology  the study of the heavens and earth.

Like most people, I thought that, when it came to the origins and nature of the heavens and earth, the Bible was written by people with a pre-scientific understanding and has no “scientific” merit. In other words, to put it bluntly, it was not true. Therefore, its words had to be properly “interpreted” to fit into “scientific truth.”

I had been duped by the devil into accepting what I now realize is a pagan version of the universe designed to hide God’s glory and lead people to believe there is no God, or, if there is, he is distant and quite unknowable.

After the Lord opened my eyes, as a Bible teacher, it became my unwelcome responsibility to warn others, especially the church, which is the future bride of Christ, that it is time for us to awaken to this mind-numbing deception. Sadly, most of the church is not open to this warning and strongly opposes it. 

Most people believe that the commonly accepted cosmology is intellectually unassailable, not understanding that it is a house of cards waiting for the wind of the Spirit to bring it down. 

conspiracyWe have been brainwashed to so revere the “religion of science” that we believe it transcends the words of the Bible, forcing us to twist the meaning of the Scriptures into saying something quite different than its authors intended. We are so in love with our current views on astrophysics that anyone who dares to oppose is deemed to be crazy, unstable, deceived, or, worst of all, that modern overused pejorative, a “conspiracy theorist.” Having endured such contradiction for the last year and a half, and knowing full well how much the church loves her pagan astrophysics, I ask you to nevertheless consider what follows. Don’t kill the messenger! Here we go….

the cosmic boyfriend
Satan (Helios, Apollo) – The Cosmic Boyfriend. If you want to learn more about the occult origins of heliocentrism, click here.

The church, which is Christ’s future bride, has surrendered part of her soul to a pagan boyfriend.

We do not realize we have done this and will fight “tooth and nail” anyone who so accuses us. We think this boyfriend is benign, having good intentions. We think he is truthful and quite helpful in our pursuit of knowledge. Little do we realize that this imposter is cleverly working to undermine our relationship with Jesus and destroy our credibility in the world’s eyes.

This cosmic liar has successfully seduced Christ’s intended into rejecting the Bible’s words regarding God’s creation.

He has so thoroughly deceived us that we stridently defend his pagan cosmology, all the while professing an unreserved love for the Scriptures. This detestable being is Satan himself, dressed up in a figure it outlab coat, posing as teacher of confirmed scientific truth. Only he could befuddle us into such self-contradiction and lead us down a path that has resulted in our bowing down to the globe idol and worshiping him, Helios, the sun god, without realizing what we are doing. (I am choosing my words carefully and not resorting to hyperbole. If you take the time to click on the various links and read the associated articles, you will understand in more detail why I think as I do.)

We largely have underestimated the powerful attraction of Satan’s lies and the exhilarating allure of the tree of knowledge.

In addition, we have failed to appreciate mankind’s propensity to be led astray.

God created us to believe him and his Words. If we reject them, we will believe a lie. We must believe something. Contrary to the claims of “proven” science, most of life is still a mystery that only God can unravel for us.

Even with the safeguards of God’s written Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit, most of us have embraced this cunning cosmological lie. Once we realize this, it produces humility and serves to strip away the arrogant pride so common among the highly educated. 

Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1:27–29 (NLT)

The apostle Paul warned us, Christ’s intended – the church, against being beguiled by Satan’s craftiness and drawn away from a simple devotion to our future groom, the Lord Jesus, and his holy Word.

For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. 3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:2–3 (NASB95)

Using the same strategy as he used with Eve in the Garden, Satan has succeeded in convincing many of God’s people that the words of the Bible cannot be fully trusted.

globe love

He convinces us, as he did Eve, that God did not mean what he appeared to say. He tricks us into believing that we are smarter than the authors of the Bible and are able to figure out origins and cosmology for ourselves, thanks to modern science. The old heresy of Gnosticism, salvation through higher knowledge, takes many shapes. Today’s Gnostic mantra is “Trust the Science.” Science has become the religion of choice for many. When it comes to cosmology, a large portion of Christ’s bride has concluded that the Bible, especially Genesis, is a simplistic document written by a primitive “pre-scientific” people.

We think we have been enlightened enough to realize that God never meant us to actually believe his words in Genesis Chapter One. Now we understand he only meant for us to glean spiritual meaning from that book. This is a dangerous precedent, however, because it begs the question, “When, then, does the Bible become literally true, and who decides?.”

We have adopted the satanic sophistry of believing that God communicates truth while being untruthful.

The devil wants us to imagine that coming to such a conclusion makes us “deep” thinkers, when in reality it converts us into fools.

Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. Romans 1:22 (NLT)

The simple truth is that God never lies. He says what he means and means what he says.

God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Numbers 23:19 (NKJV)

Either Genesis Chapter One is absolutely true, or we should not trust the Bible at all.

We cannot have it both ways, which Satan knows, but he has deceived the bride-to-be into thinking we can eat our cosmological cake and still stick to our pure diet of God’s Word. Like Saul of old, we have not fully obeyed God while insisting we have. God might ask his church, what is the meaning of this heliocentrism? Who told you the earth revolves around the sun? God did not.

How did Christ’s intended fall from its noble position of defending the integrity of the words of her beloved at any cost during the Protestant Reformation? Why did we scrap “Sola Scriptura” for “Sola Scientia?” This radical shift resulted from the introduction of a mesmerizing new cosmology at the inception of what historians call the Scientific Revolution. Placing the sun (Helios – Satan) at the center of creation is a diabolical lie, which emerged to counterattack the newfound reliance on the Scriptures fostered by the Protestant Reformation. (The documentary entitled Heliosorcery lays this out brilliantly.)

Just when the Bible’s truth was being restored to preeminence, Satan introduced  a reverence for “science” to undermine our confidence in God’s Word.

Copernicus did not regard the scriptures as sacred. He, therefore, had no qualms about proposing a radical anti-biblical idea that the earth moves around the sun, which became the center of what is now called the “solar system.” Making the sun the center, instead of the earth, accomplished several things for the devil.

  1. It refuted the truthfulness of the Bible.
  2. It established the sun, Helios or Satan, as the controlling influence over the earth, rather than God.
  3. It reduced the earth to being one of the “wandering stars” (Greek: planetes), the rest of which were named after false gods (fallen angels?). 
  4. It destabilized creation by saying that the earth moves rather than the sun, moon, and stars.
  5. It removed heaven, the abode of God, from the picture and gave rise to the even worse errors of evolution and the Big Bang, fostering hopelessness and atheism.
  6. It led to what has become known as the Copernican Principle, that there is nothing special about the earth and humanity, contradicting the Bible.
  7. The fear of the Lord has been diminished because people no longer believe that God is nearby, sitting on his throne atop the firmament, watching everything we do.

At first, the church resolutely rejected these cosmological lies, but over time, as the stalwart defenders of truth died out, the future bride of Christ was eventually swept off her feet by this handsome imposter’s lies.

Today most of the church thinks that the biblical cosmology of Genesis Chapter One is ridiculous. (Selah…let that sink in.)

We imagine that the Bible cannot compete with the wonderful explanations and theories of modern science. Sadly, this reveals that we think the Creator does not understand his own creation or perhaps lied about it because he thought we could not handle the truth.

We try to cover up our betrayal by telling an observant world that we have learned how to properly understand the embarrassing words of our intended by reinterpreting them as poetry or allegory, while at the same time affirming complete faith in the Bible. The world rightly laughs at our duplicity.

This is nothing short of two-timing our intended groom. Jesus knows about our “stepping out” with our “more exciting” cosmic boyfriend who blasphemes Jesus by calling him a liar. We have been so duped that we don’t even trying to hide our unfaithfulness! We think Jesus doesn’t mind at all, not realizing that every time we embrace Satan’s lie, we commit idolatry against the one called the Truth.

The globe is most likely the most prolific idol in history, appearing in classrooms, homes, movies, etc. as a constant reinforcement of our false belief. Christians routinely use the words “planet” and “globe” to describe God’s creation, the earth, without realizing that such language is an insult to the Creator and a public renunciation of Genesis Chapter One. boyfriendWe have accepted our cosmic boyfriend’s accusation that Jesus is an ignorant rube whose words embarrasses us when we are with our highly educated “friends.” Don’t get me wrong, Jesus is definitely the one whom we want to marry and spend eternity, but our “space boyfriend” is way more fun and “affirming” right now.

We have become so mesmerized with our pagan boyfriend’s cosmology that many of us cannot bear to think that Star Wars and other versions of space fiction are bold-faced lies about God’s creation designed to engender in us a desire to abandon our assigned habitation and venture into what the Bible calls “outer hebrew earthdarkness,” the realm of the lost. We teach our children to believe this pagan cosmology while also teaching them to believe the Bible is completely true. I imagine it all becomes a little confusing. 

It appears to be too humbling for us to concede that we live in a kind of giant terrarium under the watchful eye of the Creator. For some reason we find it more ennobling and God-glorifying to imagine that the earth is an insignificant spinning ball of water hurtling through an infinitely expanding universe. If this lying version of God’s creation, which is a kind of cosmological pornography, brings so much glory to him, why then are so many astrophysicists brazen atheists? Do we think that Scripture gives us a version of heaven and earth that is too small after listening to our cosmic boyfriend? Do we really prefer Satan’s lie over God’s truth?

The true heavens and earth are what bring God glory, not the false version. It is time for us to repent for embracing Satan’s lie!

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Psalm 19:1 (NKJV)

We have paraded our devotion to a pagan cosmology at the expense of our witness to God’s truth before the world.

Many evangelicals shy away from the topic of cosmology, thinking it is a distraction from the gospel. But if are embarrassed about what the Bible says about origins, why should we think that will make the gospel more believable? Why should we expect people to accept our proclamation that Jesus rose from the dead and now rules from heaven as Lord of lords? What heaven? Where is it? How can we prove any of this is true? The Bible challenges us to believe many things that run counter to accepted “science” – Adam and Eve, Noah’s flood, Exodus and the crossing of the Red Sea, the manna in the wilderness, Joshua stopping the sun, David and Goliath, etc.

Why is believing the literal truth of Genesis Chapter One such a “no go?” Is it because we love our pagan cosmic boyfriend too much? Is it because we don’t want our scientific friends to think ill of us? Is it because we don’t really believe the Bible after all?

We have been unfaithful to the Bible and its author regarding cosmology for about 500 years now. Enough is enough! It is time for us to come to our senses and unashamedly return to God’s pure wisdom. My prayer is that 2026 will be the year when multitudes of Christians return to a simple devotion to God and his Word, including Genesis Chapter One. Let us steel ourselves against the ridicule of the world and shamelessly embrace God’s Word. He will be rightly pleased with us if we make this stand!

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Luke 9:26 (NASB95

 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, forgive me for falling for the devil’s lies. Forgive me for doubting your Word! Forgive me for being embarrassed to let other people know that I firmly believe the truth of all the words of the Bible, not just those that are socially acceptable. Give me strength to stand for your truth, even if I must suffer for it. Holy Spirit, open the eyes and hearts of other believers who still cannot see the truth. Let your bride-to-be repent for her unfaithfulness and become more fully devoted to you. Amen.

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Does Calling God a Liar Make the Truth More Acceptable?

biblical cosmology

A great many Christians believe it is necessary to call God a liar to make the gospel more acceptable. We claim to believe every word of the Bible, while at the same time refusing to accept the biblical cosmology stated in Genesis Chapter One. Why do we reject so many errors that are commonly accepted by the world, such as biological evolution and transgenderism, but cling to heliocentrism, when Genesis Chapter One eliminates that as a possibility?

One criticism that has been leveled against me for embracing a biblical cosmology is that it undermines our efforts to win the lost by making us look foolish in the world’s eyes. Is this a valid criticism or an accommodation the world? Can we make the gospel more palatable by calling God a liar?

What would Jesus do? Would he lie to make us believe in him?

It is evident that Jesus believed in the literal truth of Genesis. It was not an issue in his day. Today, however, what is called “science” claims to have disproved the Bible. Now we “know” that the earth revolves around the sun, not the other way around as the Bible teaches. Most Christians believe that such “science” is unassailable and reinterpret Genesis accordingly. This is in spite of the admission that geocentrism provides an accurate way to account for the movement of the heavenly bodies.

“So which is real, the Ptolemaic or Copernican system? Although it is not uncommon for people to say that Copernicus proved Ptolemy wrong, that is not true…one can use either picture as a model of the universe, for our observations of the heavens can be explained by assuming either the earth or the sun to be at rest.”- Physicist, Stephen Hawking

Does mixing in a cosmological lie make the gospel more believable, or does it undermine its message at the core?

Blending a lie with the truth is comparable to putting a little bit of poop in an otherwise delicious dessert. It may not ruin its taste, but, to those who understand, it is disgusting. Below is a scene in the movie, The Help, that gives us an example of this. (If a bit of vulgar language offends you, you might not want to watch.)

The devil doesn’t seem to mind if we take a stand against other lies as long as we bow the knee to heliocentrism. He knows that this little bit of poop disgusts God and undermines the entire Bible.  We do not understand that it is a form of idolatry and blasphemy because it calls God a liar and elevates the false god, Helios, to center stage. This little bit of poop should disgust us, too.

If Genesis Chapter One cannot be taken literally, when does the Bible become factually true? Chapter 2, 3,4, 5, 6… or maybe 12 when Abraham’s story becomes the focus? Or perhaps we need to wait until Exodus? Joshua? No, that is where he commands the sun to stand still! Judges? Samuel? Kings? No that is where God gave Hezekiah the sign of the shadow on the sundial going backward ten degrees! (2 Kings 20:9-11)

Exactly what parts of the Bible do we have to throw out to make the gospel more acceptable?

Are Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven more believable than Genesis Chapter One? How foolish we are to think we have to lie to get people to accept the truth!

Would it not rather make our gospel message more attractive if we boldly declare that we believe every single word of the Bible is true, not just the parts we think are acceptable?

Does not the world laugh at our duplicity when we proclaim the resurrection is literally true, but not Genesis?

If Jesus wrote a letter to the church today, might not it say something like the following?

I applaud your stand against evolution and sexual perversion, but I have this against you. You tolerate heliocentrism, which teaches people not to take my words seriously. Repent, therefore, and cease to be ashamed of my words. Don’t be afraid of looking foolish to the world. Be afraid of calling me a liar! Be strong and proclaim the whole truth!

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Is Heliocentrism Blasphemy?

deception

According to Webster, blasphemy is the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God or something sacred. Jesus was accused of blasphemy for identifying himself as the divine Son of Man prophesied by Daniel. (Matthew 26:63-65) Paul said that the Jews cause Gentiles to blaspheme by failing to keep God’s law. (Romans 2:23-24) Another important occasion of blasphemy was when Jesus called out the Jewish leaders for ascribing the work of the Holy Spirit to the devil. (Matthew 12:31-32)

From these verses, we understand that blasphemy is connected to being a false witness regarding God whether in word or action. 

In the first instance, Jesus was accused of insulting God by identifying himself as a divine being. In the second case, the failure of the Jews to keep God’s laws indicated that they did not take God seriously. Their behavior undermined their claims about God, giving unbelievers a reason for disregarding God and his Word. The blasphemy of the Spirit is saying that something God did was done by the devil. The reverse could also be true in cases when we say that something the devil did was done by God. Blasphemy, therefore, occurs when we defame God by bearing false witness against him, his Word, or his actions. We can personally blaspheme or cause others to do so.

Heliocentrism can be called blasphemy on three counts.

  1. Heliocentrism bears false witness against God by saying he created something he did not, thus  identifying a satanic lie as the work of God.
  2. Heliocentrism calls God a liar or an ignoramus. Heliocentrists infer or declare that God and the Bible are “out of their depth” regarding scientific matters. God either did not mean what he said in Genesis Chapter One and other relevant passages or he deliberately lied to us.
  3. Heliocentrism causes unbelievers to blaspheme God by indicating either that he does not exist or that he and the Bible, including the gospel, are false and untrustworthy.

Christians who claim to believe the Bible as God’s inerrant and true Word cannot at the same time insist that something that contradicts his Word is true. 

The term Christian heliocentrist, therefore, is an oxymoron.

The Bible teaches that the sun runs a “circuit” or circular path above the earth (Psalm 19:6), rather than the earth describing an elliptical orbit around the sun. The Bible says that Joshua commanded the sun to stop for about a day, which God did on his behalf. The earth did not stop rotating, or everyone would have been killed. The sun stopped in its circuit, as did the moon. 

Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, “O sun, stand still at Gibeon, And O moon in the valley of Aijalon.” 13 So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. Joshua 10:12–13 (NASB95) —

Martin Luther considered this passage alone refuted Copernicus’ theory of heliocentrism because Lutherhe believed the Bible is 100% true, unlike the majority of modern Christians. People like to claim that “God can do anything” to explain away the discrepancy between the biblical account and the heliocentric model, but that is dishonest. The question that must be answered is, “What does the text of the Bible say?”

When we claim that Genesis Chapter One, Psalm 19:6, Joshua 10:12-13, and other relevant passages do not mean what they say, we commit blasphemy by calling God a liar and insisting that the Bible cannot be trusted in matters of so-called science. We thus undermine the gospel’s credibility by revealing that we do not really believe that the Bible is true, except in “spiritual” matters. It is either all true or should be rejected as untrustworthy. In so doing, we bow down before the idols of science and reason and reject any part of Scripture that we deem to be unreasonable or unscientific, reinterpreting and twisting God’s words to mean something they do not say.

It is time for the church to repent this blasphemy and begin to once again hold God’s Word in the highest esteem. It is time we stand against the lies of men instead of calling God a liar.

May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, “THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED.” Romans 3:4 (NASB95)
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Heliocentrism Opposes the Entire Bible

biblical cosmology

The severe error of heliocentrism not only undermines the first chapter of the Bible, but it also opposes the entirety of God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation.

The account of creation in Genesis Chapter One leaves no room for heliocentrism or its necessary antecedent, the Big Bang. The unified tiered creation of the heavens, firmament, the earth and sea, what is under the earth, and the waters above and below are either mentioned or assumed throughout the Bible.

We must either accept biblical cosmology or admit that heliocentrism proves that the Word of God is filled with “scientific” errors which render it untrustworthy as a whole. There is no middle ground.

Either God knows the truth but lied to accommodate the scientific ignorance of the biblical authors, or he spoke the truth and our “science” is built on a satanic lie. A third possibility, the one the devil prefers, is that God does not exist, making the Bible a man-made fable.

“Christian heliocentrism” is an oxymoron – a contradiction of terms. Heliocentrism is a pagan belief that was cunningly injected into our thinking in the guise of science. Since the time of Copernicus, this theory, like all the devil’s “scientific truths,” has morphed into being deemed a fact, thus proving the propagandist’s claim that any lie repeated often enough is eventually accepted as the truth. The bonapartereason a majority of Christians hold that heliocentrism is true is because our minds have been programmed to see reality in that way. We accept as true what a host of “experts” with all sorts of degrees have told us about the “universe.”

To our shame, we have accommodated God’s Word to a bold lie, forgetting that anything that contradicts God’s Word is by definition false.

God created us to believe in him and his words.

If we refuse to believe God’s Word, we will fall for anything.

science lie

Most heliocentrists who call themselves Christians unwittingly hold to their beliefs without realizing that by doing so they dishonor God by more highly esteeming the words of mere men than his. That was my case before the Holy Spirit saw fit to lift the veil of deception from my mind. Since then I have done my best to help others see. Either I am sharing the truth or I am a false teacher. No one, however, has refuted this teaching based on Scripture. My critics have rejected my teaching based on their assumption that current “science” is right and that the Bible must be interpreted in a way that makes room for the “science.” The question naturally arises, if Genesis Chapter One is not actually true, then when does the Bible become more than a poetic metaphor? When we go down this road, we discover that we can call anything into question that does not seem logical to us, making us judges of God’s Word. This is an idolatry of the mind, which is exactly what the Scientific Revolution of the 17th Century set out to achieve.

copermicus

Beginning in Genesis, the Bible tells us in many places that God created the heavens, the earth, the sea, what is under the earth. This description continues unchanged throughout the pages of Scripture. Below is a sample of verses.

You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; Exodus 20:4 (NKJV)

Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the LORD Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. Deuteronomy 4:39 (NKJV)

For ask now concerning the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether any great thing like this has happened, or anything like it has been heard. Deuteronomy 4:32 (NKJV)

And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Joshua 2:11 (NKJV)

He has inscribed a circle on the surface of the waters At the boundary of light and darkness. 11 “The pillars of heaven tremble And are amazed at His rebuke. Job 26:10–11 (NASB95)

Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. 3 He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, 4 Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire. 5 You who laid the foundations of the earth, So that it should not be moved forever, Psalm 104:2–5 (NKJV)

Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Psalm 150:1 (NKJV)

When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28 When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep, 29 When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth, Proverbs 8:27–29 (NKJV)

All the host of heaven shall be dissolved, And the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll; All their host shall fall down As the leaf falls from the vine, And as fruit falling from a fig tree. Isaiah 34:4 (NKJV)

Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand has stretched out the heavens; When I call to them, They stand up together. Isaiah 48:13 (NKJV)

Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? 2 For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the LORD. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word. Isaiah 66:1–2 (NKJV)

A voice came from above the firmament that was over their heads; whenever they stood, they let down their wings. 26 And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. Ezekiel 1:25–26 (NKJV)

The tree grew and became strong; Its height reached to the heavens, And it could be seen to the ends of all the earth. Daniel 4:11 (NKJV)

The One who builds His upper chambers in the heavens And has founded His vaulted dome over the earth, He who calls for the waters of the sea And pours them out on the face of the earth, The LORD is His name. Amos 9:6 (NASB95)

The sun and moon stood still in their habitation... Habakkuk 3:11 (NKJV)

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16–17 (NKJV)

But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool... Matthew 5:34–35 (NKJV) 

So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19 (NKJV)

He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. John 3:31 (NKJV)

(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) Ephesians 4:9–10 (NKJV)

But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Acts 7:55–56 (NKJV)

(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) Ephesians 4:9–10 (NKJV)

For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9–11 (NASB95)

And: “You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 11 They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; Hebrews 1:10–11 (NKJV)

Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man. Hebrews 8:1–2 (NKJV) 

And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” 14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped. Revelation 5:13–14 (NASB95)
If you wish to do a deeper dive into what the entire Bible has to say about the heavens, earth, and firmament, try Brandon Ezzo’s series of videos.

The last book of the Bible agrees with what comes before. God created a unified, tiered heaven and earth consisting of the earth, the firmament which divides heaven from earth, three heavens – the highest being the abode of God where his throne sits, the sea, and what resides under the earth, described as Sheol. We are also told that there are waters above the firmament as well as in the great deep under the earth. In God’s creation, there is an “up” and a “down.” Directions and locations are absolute, not relative as in satanic cosmology with a sphere for our habitation, where heaven’s location must be metaphorical at best.

With Satan, nothing is fixed. God’s Word, on the other hand, is sure and steadfast, just like the earth and heavens he created to reveal his nature.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20 (NASB95)

hebrew cosmology

The illustration above is an artist’s rendering of the biblical cosmos found in Logos Bible software. This was the understanding of the authors of Scripture, whose words were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Surely God would not have inspired the biblical authors to lie about something as fundamental as the shape and nature of the earth upon which we live!

When we hold the heliocentric view, we maintain that we have more understanding than God!

But this is untenable, as revealed to Job. We were not there at creation; so, how do we truly know anything unless God tells us?

Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, 5 Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? 6 “On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, Job 38:4–6 (NASB95)

Everything God creates has a foundation; otherwise, it would be unstable. Jesus confirmed this principle in his parables. The firmament, that enormous crystalline structure that acts as a vault over the entire earth, has its foundation on the earth.

Then the earth shook and quaked, The foundations of heaven were trembling And were shaken, because He was angry. 2 Samuel 22:8 (NASB95)

Above the firmament sits God’s throne.

Heaven is a physical location created by God when he made the earth.

The One who builds His upper chambers in the heavens And has founded His vaulted dome over the earth, He who calls for the waters of the sea And pours them out on the face of the earth, The LORD is His name. Amos 9:6 (NASB95)

Like the earth, heaven is also set upon pillars, which connect heaven to the earth upon which it rests.

The pillars of heaven tremble And are amazed at His rebuke. Job 26:11 (NASB95)

Heliocentrism not only denies the truth of creation found in Genesis Chapter One, but it also undermines Revelation, the prophets, and every single place the Word of God describes his unified creation of the heavens and earth separated by the firmament.

Those who agree with this satanic cosmology called heliocentrism believe that the Bible is incorrect in its description of God’s creation. The inescapable conclusion is that the Bible cannot be trusted at all.

If we claim to be followers of Christ and hold to the error of heliocentrism, it is because we have been so thoroughly “brainwashed” or “programmed” by our education system and media that we now believe Satan’s version of cosmology more than God’s truth in the Bible. For those steeped for years in a lie, the truth seems absurd. This is nothing short of idolatry.

We cannot have it both ways. Either the Bible is all true or none of it is.

The lie of heliocentrism was designed to strip us of everything divine. The Copernican Principle teaches us that the earth and humanity are insignificant accidents in a chaotic ever-expanding universe filled with uncertainty and danger and where God is nowhere present.

The following video wonderfully describes the Copernican Principle, but does not go the full way to endorse a biblical cosmology. Nevertheless, I recommend watching it.

The truth, however, is that God fashioned the earth and heavens to provide us with a perfect habitation under his watchful eye. He is indeed the “Most High.”

It is He who sits above the circle [not ball or sphere, but a circle as inscribed by a compass] of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. Isaiah 40:22 (NASB95)

biblical cosmology

One day, according to Scripture and contrary to the heliocentric view, God will “roll back” or “dissolve” the firmament, atop of which sits God’s throne. At that point, Jesus in all his glory will be seen by the entire earth at once, something that could never occur on a spherical earth. 

All the host of heaven shall be dissolved, And the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll; All their host shall fall down As the leaf falls from the vine, And as fruit falling from a fig tree. Isaiah 34:4 (NKJV)

The host of heaven, stars, will fall down. If we believe the heliocentric lie, we must conclude that the above verse is an impossibility, since it states that stars are huge suns at impossible distances.

The following video does not reject heliocentrism outright, but make the case that we have been lied to regarding sizes and distances. Once a witness lies to us, the remainder of his or her testimony is suspect.

If we believe that stars are actually far away suns rather than luminaries God placed in the firmament, we may fall in line with Neil deGrasse Tyson, who stated:

You know, one of the signs that the second coming is that the stars will fall out of the sky and land on Earth. To even write that means you don’t know what stars are. (Bill Moyers Journal aired 10/3/2014 at 22 minute mark)

To say that the Bible is wrong about the nature of stars is a direct attack on God’s Word and teaches us to either reject God’s Word outright or to bow to the science idol and reinterpret such passages to make them agree with heliocentrism.

This is exactly what many well-intentioned Christians have done, not realizing that it is the same sin committed by Adam and Eve in the garden! “Did God really say? Did he not mean something different.” It is important that we stick to what God actually said.

Modern astrophysics and heliocentrism places Christians in a crisis of faith. Will we believe the doubtful proclamations of “scientists” or the certainty of God’s Word?

Since God created the stars, he certainly knows what they are. Modern high-zoom cameras, such as the Nikon P-1000, have made it possible for amateur astronomers to discover that stars look nothing at all like we have been told. They are not mere points of light. Instead they are pulsating luminaries, perhaps angelic beings, which often appear to shimmer as if shining through water. I can almost hear God’s rebuke for our audacity to think we know more than he does!

From creation until the second coming of Christ, the Bible presents a consistent unified tiered creation of the heavens and earth.

Jesus ascended (went “up”) to heaven where he sits at God’s right hand on his throne, which is above us, atop the firmament, not somewhere in “outer space.” One day he will descend (come “down”) from heaven to the earth. If these are not true directions and real descriptions of actual places, why bother to trust the Bible at all? When we spiritualize what God meant to be understood as physical reality, haven’t we become rather Gnostic in our thinking? When we regard God’s words as only having spiritual meaning, but modern astrophysics as describing our physical reality, we greatly err. I readily accept the cosmos of Scripture over the infinite confusion of modern astrophysics with its incomprehensible dark energy, dark matter, black holes, and Big Bang. Give me God’s Word over the words of men any day. 

...let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, “THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED.” Romans 3:4 (NASB95)

I encourage you, my reader, to reconsider you view, if you are a heliocentrist. Ask God to show you the truth about this important topic. Let us be among those who glorify God by believing every word in the Bible. Let’s put all our “eggs in one basket,” so to speak. Let’s choose to believe that the Bible is true – period!

Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 6 Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. Proverbs 30:5–6 (NASB95)
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Mind Numbing Deception

flat earth

The Bible tells us that deception and sin can eventually destroy our ability to think critically. Some call this brainwashing. Paul called it becoming a fool.

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, Romans 1:21–22 (NASB95)

The root of deception is the denial of the truth of God’s Word. Anything we believe that is contrary to biblical truth numbs the mind and corrupts our ability to think.

control worldBelow is a quote by Martin Luther, who faced enormous levels of deception and contradiction in his day from the Roman Catholic Church and the embryonic stage of the heliocentric deception. Writing about deception in general, he said:

“For such lies and errors numb the mind and the senses, so that one can no longer distinguish truth from falsehood, but instead accepts everything as good that the devil spreads through his prophets. Therefore, it is necessary that we hold fast to the clear Word of God and not allow ourselves to be led astray by human dreams and visions. For where the Scripture is abandoned, there follows nothing but confusion, blindness, and spiritual death.”

(Luther’s Works, American Edition, Vol. 40: Church and Ministry II, p. 189 — slightly modernized for clarity)

The proliferation of such deception has increased by stages over the centuries to the point where now society in general has embraced destructive lies on a terrifying scale.

Even many Christians, who acknowledge the Bible is true, have been profoundly impacted by some of the most foundational lies of the devil.

One such foundational error is heliocentrism.

Herbert Butterfield, a British historian, argued that the Scientific Revolution—sparked by Nicolaus Copernicus’s heliocentric theory in De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (1543)—had a greater historical impact than the Renaissance. In his 1949 book The Origins of Modern Science, he wrote that it “outshines everything since the rise of Christianity and reduces the Renaissance and Reformation to the rank of mere episodes, mere internal displacements within the system of medieval Christendom.” (Grok)

Sigmund Freud made the connection between Copernican heliocentrism and what he called the “shattering [of] anthropocentric illusions” central to traditional Christian cosmology, in which the Earth was God’s privileged creation at the universe’s heart, thus undermining faith’s foundation and paving the way for later “death of God” theology. (Grok) The Copernican Principle, as it eventually came to be called, is the scientific rejection of “cosmic favoritism.” Earth is just one ordinary planet in an ordinary galaxy in a vast, average universe.

The Copernican Principle means that mankind is insignificant in relationship to the grand scope of universe, or, perhaps, multiverse, if string theory is accepted. The Bible teaches that man and woman were the crowning touches of his creation, for whom the earth was made as a habitation, which imparts to us great significance.

It is not hard to see how heliocentrism and the Copernican Principle gave rise to Darwin’s theory of biological evolution and later the Big Bang Theory of cosmic evolution. Both of these unproven and unprovable theories defy what is written in the Bible. For the Christian, this by itself is grounds for immediate rejection as utter falsehood. 

Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark. Isaiah 8:20 (NLT)

Nevertheless, Satan has used these lies to drive countless people away from God and into an eternity of loss, pain, and sorrow, missing out on what could have been theirs had they believed God and accepted the promises of the gospel. Satan is miserable, and he loves company.

Martin Luther, contemporary of Copernicus, recognized this evil for what it was very early. In a conversation which was written down, he said:

“There was mention of a certain new astrologer [astronomer] who wanted to prove that the earth moves and not the sky, the sun, and the moon. This would be as if somebody were riding on a cart or in a ship and imagined that he was standing still while the earth and the trees were moving. [Exactly Einstein’s point of view in his faux theory of special relativity.]

‘So it goes now. Whoever wants to be clever must agree with nothing that others esteem. He must do something of his own. This is what that fellow does who wishes to turn the whole of astronomy upside down. Even in these things that are thrown into disorder I believe the Holy Scriptures, for Joshua commanded the sun to stand still and not the earth.’”

(Luther’s Works, Vol. 54: Table Talk (ed. Theodore G. Tappert, Fortress Press, 1967, pp. 358–359). Original in Weimarer Ausgabe (WA TR 4, No. 4638).

Heliocentrism contradicts God’s truth revealed in Scripture and numbs the mind to prevent our correctly perceiving reality.

hiding god

The brainwashing convinces us to ignore the input of our senses and the results of critical thinking and to accept that which defies reason and contradicts what we observe. A recent example with which we are all familiar is the craziness that accompanies transgenderism. We were asked (forced) to recognize multiple genders even though we know and observe that there are only male and female. Those who maintained some common sense and had some not so common courage declined.

helio religionConsider that heliocentrism requires us to contradict the input from our senses which tell us that the earth does not move. We are told to believe that we are rotating at an astounding 1040 mph at the equator, or about 750 mph at the latitude where I live. In addition, we are told that we revolve around the sun at in incredible speed of 66,600 mph. The combination of these two speeds and corresponding force vectors would require us to experience a continual change of acceleration, since the spin of the earth both adds to and subtracts from the speed of our revolution each 24 hours.

On top of those two speeds, we are told that we our entire solar system is galloping through the Milky Way galaxy at a mind-numbing speed of around 500,000 mph. But wait! There is more! The galaxy is moving at 1 to 2 million miles per hour (It seems to change!) away from the epicenter of the Big Bang explosion! Imagine. We are traveling in four directions at once at incomprehensible speeds, but we do not feel any of it. If you believe that, you have been brainwashed.

solar system

And if the earth is rotating at 1040 mph at the equator, how is it that we do not feel super-hurricane like winds? We are told it is because the earth’s atmosphere rotates, too. If that is the case, why do we feel air currents traveling in multiple directions. Why do we have wind currents such as the jet stream, which independently travels their routes?

wind debunks globe

And if the earth is rotating, how do airplanes land on the ground that is moving beneath them?

And if the earth is curved, as heliocentrists tell us, why do airplanes fly straight and level according to their gyroscopes?

gyroscope

If the earth were a globe, airplanes would be constantly descending to avoid flying off into “outer space.”

brainwashed

And if the earth is speeding through the universe at 2 million miles per hour, why have the stars remained in the same positions? Why are we able to photograph the stars making concentric circles around Polaris? 

stars trails

The fact of the matter is that none of these things make any sense at all to the rational mind, but we have been taught to accept what the experts tell us, rather than to think critically. 

brainwashing globe

Our indoctrination begins at a young age, when all our adult authority figures tell us that we live on a globe zooming through space. Over our lifetimes, we are shown endless images of this globe. We have been tantalized by space movies that have created in us a desire to explore beyond the limitations of this earth, the habitation God assigned to us. We are told that the earth is dying and our hope is somewhere “out there,” perhaps Mars. All of this is lie, but we bought it hook, line, and sinker.

How shall we recover from such deception? The Word of God can set us free, if we believe, receive, and act upon it. 

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31–32 (NASB95)

Lies enslave. The truth sets us free. 

If we accept the cosmology taught in the Bible, it will loose us from Satan’s web of deception. We will be able to see creation’s wonder and beauty with new eyes! When we look up, we will understand that God’s throne rests atop the dome of the firmament, just as the Bible says.

One day, God will roll back the firmament like a scroll to reveal our glorious Lord Jesus to the entire earth at once, something that can only happen on the earth the Bible describes.

Below is a documentary I recommend to anyone who is open to exploring this deception in greater depth. Please notice Google’s mandatory disclaimer. Consider that they only provide this regarding subject matter that threatens to expose their lies. Other topics, such as New Age, witchcraft, transgenderism, etc. get a free pass. They are not concerned with suppressing lies, but the truth.

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